Sheldon Adelson threatens libel lawsuit against DCCC

Sheldon Adelson, gaming magnate and major donor to Newt Gingrich and no Romney-supporting super Pacs, is threatening to sue the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for libel. Jonathan Easley of The Hill reports that the DCCC confirmed:

"We just received and are reviewing Mr. Adelson's attorney's letter," DCCC spokesman Jesse Ferguson said in an email. Ferguson did not respond to a follow-up inquiry.

In late June, the DCCC sent out a release alleging that prostitution money tied to Adelson helped fund the campaigns of Reps. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) and Jim Renacci (R-Ohio), as well as other GOP incumbents.

The charge stems from a lawsuit filed by a former employee of Adelson's, who claimed that he personally approved of prostitution at one of his properties. Adelson denies the charges, and Politifact rated the claim as "Pants on Fire."

"Immediately retract and apologize for defamatory statements falsely accusing Mr. Adelson of encouraging and profiting from prostitution, maliciously branding Mr. Adelson as a pimp who has given 'Chinese prostitution money' to your political opponents," the letter from Adelson's attorney, first obtained by the Las Vegas Sun, reads in part. "These false allegations constitute libel per se entitling Mr. Adelson to compensatory and punitive damages."

I hope that Mr. Adelson pursues this legal remedy. The DCC would be forced to either humiliate itself with an apology or expend resources on a defense, and bear the burden of discovery.

Update

Andrew Malcolm at Investor's Business Daily warns: Memo to Dem press secretary: Probably best not to imply GOP billionaire is a pimp.

the DSCC said, "The Associated Press reports that House Republicans' largest single donor, Sheldon Adelson, 'personally approved prostitution and knew of other improper activity at his company's properties in the Chinese enclave' of Macau, China."

Adelson's attorney adds: "As you and the DCCC surely knew when you spoke, the charges you made are outrageous and completely untrue. Neither the Associated Press nor anyone else has reported that Mr. Adelson or Las Vegas Sands Corp generates profits from a 'Chinese prostitution strategy.' That claim was made up in the hope of generating an illegitimate political advantage for the DCCC."

Sheldon Adelson, gaming magnate and major donor to Newt Gingrich and no Romney-supporting super Pacs, is threatening to sue the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for libel. Jonathan Easley of The Hill reports that the DCCC confirmed:

"We just received and are reviewing Mr. Adelson's attorney's letter," DCCC spokesman Jesse Ferguson said in an email. Ferguson did not respond to a follow-up inquiry.

In late June, the DCCC sent out a release alleging that prostitution money tied to Adelson helped fund the campaigns of Reps. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) and Jim Renacci (R-Ohio), as well as other GOP incumbents.

The charge stems from a lawsuit filed by a former employee of Adelson's, who claimed that he personally approved of prostitution at one of his properties. Adelson denies the charges, and Politifact rated the claim as "Pants on Fire."

"Immediately retract and apologize for defamatory statements falsely accusing Mr. Adelson of encouraging and profiting from prostitution, maliciously branding Mr. Adelson as a pimp who has given 'Chinese prostitution money' to your political opponents," the letter from Adelson's attorney, first obtained by the Las Vegas Sun, reads in part. "These false allegations constitute libel per se entitling Mr. Adelson to compensatory and punitive damages."

I hope that Mr. Adelson pursues this legal remedy. The DCC would be forced to either humiliate itself with an apology or expend resources on a defense, and bear the burden of discovery.

Update

Andrew Malcolm at Investor's Business Daily warns: Memo to Dem press secretary: Probably best not to imply GOP billionaire is a pimp.

the DSCC said, "The Associated Press reports that House Republicans' largest single donor, Sheldon Adelson, 'personally approved prostitution and knew of other improper activity at his company's properties in the Chinese enclave' of Macau, China."

Adelson's attorney adds: "As you and the DCCC surely knew when you spoke, the charges you made are outrageous and completely untrue. Neither the Associated Press nor anyone else has reported that Mr. Adelson or Las Vegas Sands Corp generates profits from a 'Chinese prostitution strategy.' That claim was made up in the hope of generating an illegitimate political advantage for the DCCC."